South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers is expected to become Washington State’s new head coach, sources briefed on the search said The athlete Saturday.

The 37-year-old Arizona native and former Jackrabbits linebacker led South Dakota State to its second straight FCS national title in 2023, replacing John Stiegelmeier in his first season as head coach, and went 15-0, winning the Eddie Robinson Award, the nation honors top FCS coaches. South Dakota State posted a 29-game winning streak during the 2024 season and finished 12-3, losing to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals.

Before being promoted to head coach at his alma mater, Rogers, who was a captain on the Jackrabbits’ first FCS playoff team in 2009, played a key role in South Dakota State’s national title in 2022 and led the nation’s best rushing defense as well the Jackrabbits defensive coordinator.

Rogers will replace Jake Dickert, who left Washington State earlier this month to become head coach at Wake Forest, replacing Dave Clawson. The Cougars finished the 2024 season 8-5 after losing to Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.

— The athleteChris Vannini contributed reporting.

(Photo: Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)